need an annual

[Tankinbarber]

Help!!! Need to know if anyone knows of a good mx to work with. I am looking to get my 1985 M20k 231 with the rocket conversion done and Apex is looking to charge like 5k. Is that a normal annual price? I have been seeing a lot of cheaper experiences in the forum. I am currently at KHND and moving the bird to KVGT. I would like to establish a relationship with an MX in the vegas area but would fly it anywhere within an hour or two for the annual and 100 hr?

 

Hope you guys can help.

[M016576]

58 minutes ago, Tankinbarber said:

Help!!! Need to know if anyone knows of a good mx to work with. I am looking to get my 1985 M20k 231 with the rocket conversion done and Apex is looking to charge like 5k. Is that a normal annual price? I have been seeing a lot of cheaper experiences in the forum. I am currently at KHND and moving the bird to KVGT. I would like to establish a relationship with an MX in the vegas area but would fly it anywhere within an hour or two for the annual and 100 hr?

 

Hope you guys can help.

5k is steep for an annual inspection alone- most annual inspections for a mooney run in the $2000 range- even at the expensive MSC's.  5K should get you the annual and a bunch of squawks fixed if required.  

Sorry, I don't know any Vegas shops or A&P's, but I'm fairly certain you'll have a list here shortly: you posted on the right board!

oh, and unless you're doing flight instruction or renting your plane, no need for a 100hr- just an annual is required for personal use.

[carusoam]

Data point:

Flat rate annuals posted price at Dugosh...

http://www.dugosh.com/#!shop-rates/c1zh8

I have no knowledge of the new owners.  I just reviewed their website yesterday...

Best regards,

-a-

[neilpilot]

18 minutes ago, carusoam said:

Data point:

Flat rate annuals posted price at Dugosh...

http://www.dugosh.com/#!shop-rates/c1zh8

I have no knowledge of the new owners.  I just reviewed their website yesterday...

Best regards,

-a-

Another data point, for a non-MSC.  http://www.jewellaviation.com/maintenance.htm

[MB65E]

Hi Tank! It does sound high. However being the first year inspection on a complex airplane. It would not surprise me if there was a laundry list of corrections that needed to be done. If your just in Vegas, Phoenix and central/northern CA have great shops. It's unfortunate that Vegas does not have more General Avaition facilities. 

As for the quoted "flat rate" pricing, it's been a Long time since I have seen anyone get off for only the "flat rate". I'm sure Jewel does fine work, but that price is for a no squawk clean airplane that that have clean logs and an AD list that is understandable. 

I am 4+ years into my M20E and still work hard each annual to make it better. This was after a Muncie MSC 9K annual by the prior owner. 

I would be interested in their squawk list. On my annual this year I tried to keep a log of my time. After 50 hrs...I quit counting. This was with a bit of tinkering and painting. But,  I find it hard to think that any shop could preform the inspection in the 20 or so hours most say it takes. 

I would get more involved with your inspections. You'll learn a lot and get a feel for the value of the work performed.

Hope that helps,

-Matt

[Sabremech]

Hi Matt,

 I agree with you that I don't know how any shop can complete the annual in 20 hours or so. I'm way over your 50 hours on my annuals and am making mine better every year. I kept track the first year I did it and no longer even count it. I can be working on my annual for a month or more!

 David

[M20F]

4 hours ago, MB65E said:

As for the quoted "flat rate" pricing, it's been a Long time since I have seen anyone get off for only the "flat rate". 

The flat rate is for an annual inspection not for making the plane airworthy.

[DXB]

The Jewel price above is utterly remarkable even for a base rate.  This year I gladly paid a $2365 base rate to a well known MSC in the Northeast for my C model because the plane is still new to me, and I want experts to beat issues out of it for a couple of years.  But then I may flip alternate years between MSC and hunting for a bargain.  I'm guessing what I paid this year is the high end.   

[Bob_Belville]

5 minutes ago, DXB said:

The Jewel price above is utterly remarkable even for a base rate.  This year I gladly paid a $2365 base rate to a well known MSC in the Northeast for my C model because the plane is still new to me, and I want experts to beat issues out of it for a couple of years.  But then I may flip alternate years between MSC and hunting for a bargain.  I'm guessing what I paid this year is the high end.   

Base rate @ my field: for a manual gear (M20C-G) is $1430. Electric gear $1560. 

An annual inspection not only includes labor, but some added value services as well. http://www.aglaviation.com/pricing-rates

Items include:

1)      AD research

2)      Clean, gap, test, and rotate spark plugs

3)      Pre and post run up for systems check

4)      Compression test

5)      Servicing battery

6)      Oil and filter change **

7)      Air filter change **

8)      Lubrication wend servicing of pulleys, hinges, and bell cranks

9)      Cleaning, inspection and repacking of wheel bearings

10)   Landing gear extension/retraction test if required

11)   Mag to engine timing

12)   Removal and installation of inspection panels and interior as necessary for inspection

13)   ELT test and inspection per FAR 91.207 **

14)   Inspection of aircraft

**LABOR ONLY

As noted several times, an "annual" is an inspection. Repairs are not part of the inspection. Folks here often talk about annuals that cost several AMU but they're including new brakes, tires, trouble shooting avionics, lighting, hydraulic issues, patching fuel tanks, touching up paint, checking rigging, dealing with corrosion, maybe installing an AOA or a EDM!

[Nemesis]

Tank,

I am in the CA desert and fly right over the top of you on my way to SW Wyoming, Evanston KEVW, when I go for my annual with Kerry Mcintyre -KNR Inc. (307) 789-6866. He has something more than 30 years experience with Mooneys. I originally found him through articles that he writes for MAPA. I have found no better source for Mooney knowledge. I think his inspection rate is $1700 if my memory is not failing at the moment. If you are into mechanical things, he will gladly let you roll up your sleeves and give you some jobs to do on your own aircraft (that might save a few dollars) as well as give good common sense explanations for all that he looks for.

Other options might be Lasar and Top Gun, both in California. All 3 have web sites.

Dave

[Jeev]

Yeah $5k is too much.  Talk to Lenny at EGA at KVGT he runs a good and fair outfit.  Tell him Sanjeev sent ya.  Also PM me your info if you want to meet up, I could always use a new Mooney friend!

[KSMooniac]

I agree with Nemesis on good shops to check out in that part of the country.  Jeev's guy sounds like another good lead in your immediate area as well.  The base rate (inspection only) should be well under $2k, with repairs/parts added as needed.  A $5k quote for an inspection is just telling you they don't want your business unless you're a free-spender that doesn't do any homework.  It's not even worth negotiating IMO.

[M016576]

3 hours ago, KSMooniac said:

I agree with Nemesis on good shops to check out in that part of the country.  Jeev's guy sounds like another good lead in your immediate area as well.  The base rate (inspection only) should be well under $2k, with repairs/parts added as needed.  A $5k quote for an inspection is just telling you they don't want your business unless you're a free-spender that doesn't do any homework.  It's not even worth negotiating IMO.

I haven't seen a MSC that charges "well under" 2K for an annual.  The best rates I've seen by local A&P's are around 1500 for the base rate.  Any shop around here tends to charge around 2K.  Last I checked, both LASAR and Top Gun were around $2500 for the base inspection rate.... With squawks adding to the cost once all is said and done.  No small expense at LASAR and some of the other shops I've seen where they charge upwards of $110 an hour for work alone.... Pricey...

[KSMooniac]

I guess my frame of reference is lower in the more reasonable part of the country. I think Maxwell is around 1800 as a base rate.

I've had a non-owner assist annual done for 1 AMU, but at a non-MSC. I paid more for my last one though, and I did all the work so I guess it balances out...

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

[M016576]

36 minutes ago, KSMooniac said:

I guess my frame of reference is lower in the more reasonable part of the country. I think Maxwell is around 1800 as a base rate.

I've had a non-owner assist annual done for 1 AMU, but at a non-MSC. I paid more for my last one though, and I did all the work so I guess it balances out...

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

No wonder Maxwell is so popular... He's reasonable!

 

edit:. I wish I lived a bit closer... I would certainly take my mooney there for that price/expertise

Edited January 16, 2016 by M016576

[KSMooniac]

Well, he is an expert at finding squawks too! . I doubt too many planes leave his shop with an annual bill under 2 AMU...

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[Tony Armour]

On January 14, 2016 at 2:13 AM, Tankinbarber said:

Help!!! Need to know if anyone knows of a good mx to work with. I am looking to get my 1985 M20k 231 with the rocket conversion done and Apex is looking to charge like 5k. Is that a normal annual price? I have been seeing a lot of cheaper experiences in the forum. I am currently at KHND and moving the bird to KVGT. I would like to establish a relationship with an MX in the vegas area but would fly it anywhere within an hour or two for the annual and 100 hr?

 

Hope you guys can help.

RUN away as fast as you can, errrr, fly away !

 

[kerry]

I sent you a PM with Blake Brooksby's phone #.  I got word back from him saying they could do your annual at VGT this week.  Give him a call if you're interested.

[lamont337]

On 1/15/2016 at 5:11 PM, Jeev said:

Yeah $5k is too much.  Talk to Lenny at EGA at KVGT he runs a good and fair outfit.  Tell him Sanjeev sent ya.  Also PM me your info if you want to meet up, I could always use a new Mooney friend!

I've used EGA at KVGT as well, good guys. For reference, Lone Mountain Aviation is also on the field and is a Mooney Service Center. Perhaps it would be worth getting inspection and labor rates from both so you can compare? Shop it around.